Variants of Feminism 101

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Feminism is not a monolith. In fact, feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies. For the purposes of education, I thought it would be useful to outline the predominant variants of feminism and provide links to essays from each. Please note that these ideologies occasionally overlap, and many feminists identify themselves with several branches or schools of thought at once.

Describes feminism which seeks to use legal means to give preference to women in such areas as domestic violence, child custody, sexual harassment, divorce proceedings, and pay equity. Identified by Christina Hoff Sommers, so think what you will.

An individualistic form of feminism theory, which primarily focuses on women's ability to show and maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. Liberal feminists argue that our society holds the false belief that women are, by nature, less intellectually and physically capable than men, it tends to discriminate against women in the academy, the forum, and the marketplace.

Focuses on the dismantling of capitalism as a way of liberating women. Marxist feminism states that private property, which gives rise to economic inequality, dependence, political confusion, and ultimately unhealthy social relations between men and women, is the root of women's oppression in the current social context.